Noisy 2.3

[jeff2761]

Hi Guys;
I have a 96 2wd 2.3 shortbed that I bought used two years ago. Good dependable little truck that now has a touch over 200,000 miles. It's not real powerful but the mileage is definitely better than my old 300 f150. Anyway, the engine has been loud since I bought it. I've tried tracking down the source but no luck. One guy said it sounded like the power steering pump but I just don't know. Anyone know if these engines are typically "noisy". Thanks.

 

[john112deere]

I've got a high-mileage 2.3 in my '97. Got it around 200k, put about 65k on it the last five years.

It's not real quiet; here's a rundown of the noises MINE makes, that I guess in a perfect world it probably wouldn't.
-p/s whine. Very loud, has been since I got it. Sounds like, well, like a whining hydraulic system. I'd never think of it as a "noisy engine", but I guess it's a loud noise from where the engine is, so it could be what you're hearing. Worse when the fluid is cold- on startup, especially at low outside temps.
-lifter clatter. Briefly very loud, on startup occasionally, especially if the temp is below 0*F. Otherwise covered by the noise from the p/s...but if I take the belt off, I can hear them all the time. Been like that for at least 30k miles.
-Exhaust leak. Dunno quite where, but pretty close to the engine. Sort of a "ticking" under the passenger's feet.

I wouldn't say it's real loud, though, either, for a worn-out pickup.

 

[Robert_1967]

I have owned my 88 ranger for 6 months, and the PS pump is howling on it, I have a new one, just waiting for the old one to quit, guess I'm a bit lazy sometimes, also the person that had the truck before me put a glasspack on it and it dumps out right where the right side glass is on the extended part of my truck is, so it's a bit loud and sick sounding.
Also you might want to check the idle pully right below the PS pump, it could also make a howling noize.

 

[92ranger2wd]

Hi Guys;
I have a 96 2wd 2.3 shortbed that I bought used two years ago. Good dependable little truck that now has a touch over 200,000 miles. It's not real powerful but the mileage is definitely better than my old 300 f150. Anyway, the engine has been loud since I bought it. I've tried tracking down the source but no luck. One guy said it sounded like the power steering pump but I just don't know. Anyone know if these engines are typically "noisy". Thanks.

Rangers, and Fords in general, are known for having loud power steering pumps. If I had a dollar for every time someone has said "hey it sounds like there's something wrong with your engine", well I could probably buy another beater ranger. Compared to other four cylinder engines that I've driven, the 2.3L doesn't seem that much louder, aside from the power steering pump whine. Check your belt and fan to make sure both are in good shape.

 

[SMTGREG]

Remove the belt and see if the noise is gone. If not it could be the timing belt tensioner.

 

[jeff2761]

Thanks. Sounds like it's pretty common for these trucks. I'll keep an eye on the pump. Hopefully I can get a few more miles on the truck.